December 23, 2025 – California, U.S. – Vince Zampella, the pioneering video game developer and co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise, has tragically died in a car accident in Southern California at the age of 55, gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed on Monday. The company described his death as “an unimaginable loss” to the gaming industry.

Local authorities reported that Zampella and a passenger were killed when his Ferrari crashed on the Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday afternoon. According to the California Highway Patrol, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and was engulfed in flames. Footage shared on social media showed the aftermath of the crash.

Gaming Industry Icon

Zampella’s impact on the video game world was profound. He co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and helped launch the first Call of Duty game in 2003, a franchise that has since sold over half a billion copies worldwide and attracts more than 100 million monthly active players.

After leaving Activision, Zampella established Respawn Entertainment in 2010, the studio behind major hits such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series. Respawn was later acquired by EA in 2017, where Zampella spearheaded the revitalization of the Battlefield franchise, setting new sales records for Battlefield 6 in 2025.

“Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching,” EA said in a statement. “A friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.”

Tributes from the Industry

Respawn described Zampella as “a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games in ways that will be felt for generations.”

Renowned video game journalist and co-creator of The Game Awards, Geoff Keighley, called Zampella “an extraordinary person” and a “gamer at heart” with a unique ability to nurture talent and inspire creative teams. Keighley added, “While he created some of the most influential games of our time, I always felt he still had his greatest one ahead of him. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to play it.”

Legacy

Zampella’s career spanned more than three decades, beginning in the 1990s as a designer on shooter games. He played a key role in shaping the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, influencing both gaming culture and industry standards. His legacy continues through the franchises he helped create and the teams he mentored, leaving a lasting impact on players and developers alike.